Entered  at  the  Post  Office  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  as  Second 
Class  Matter 


FOREWORD 

College  days  in  Delaware!  What  memories  they  bring  to  us  who 
have  enjoyed  them — what  treasures  they  hold  in  store  for  you  who  antici- 
pate them! 

The  official  catalogue  shows  that  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  has 
many  unusual  inducements  in  its  courses  of  study,  equipment  and  its 
faculty.  But  college  catalogues  to  most  of  us  seem  pretty  much  alike, 
for  they  cannot  tell  us  of  the  other  thing  that  makes  each  college  distinc- 
tive— the  characteristic  atmosphere  of  its  campus,  which  is  the  product 
of  its  traditions  and  the  reflection  of  the  individualities  who  have  helped 
make  its  history. 

Realizing  this  fact,  an  alumnus  has  furnished  the  following  letters, 
which  tell  of  undergraduate  life,  with  its  daily  happenings  and  its  associa- 
tions, as  you  will  find  them  at  Ohio  Wesleyan.  It  is  hoped  that  they  will 
give  you  a helpful  view  of  college  life  in  the  Middle  West,  and  especially 
of  Ohio  Wesleyan  University. 

You  are  cordially  invited  to  come  to  Delaware  in  person,  if  you  can, 
and  get  a first-hand  picture  of  the  things  herein  set  forth. 

Dean  of  the  College, 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University, 

Delaware,  Ohio. 


Dear  Tom  : 

Things  have  been  happening  so  fast  since  I enrolled  at  Ohio  Wesleyan 
University  that  I haven’t  had  a chance  to  write  you  a word.  But  now  I 
must  tell  you  about  the  interclass  contests,  because  I think  you  will  want 
to  take  part  in  them  some  day  yourself. 

I have  really  been  too  busy  to  get  homesick,  though  I have  been  here 
over  three  weeks  now.  Everything  is  planned  to  make  a fellow  feel  at 
home — beginning  right  at  the  depot,  where  a Y.  M.  C.  A.  member  took 
me  in  charge.  There  were  members  of  two  fraternities  there,  too,  each 
of  whom  invited  me  up  for  a meal,  so  I could  meet  their  “bunch.” 

The  next  day  an  older  student  took  me  around  and  got  me  fixed  up 
in  all  my  classes.  Friday  night,  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  stag  “get-together,” 
I felt  as  though  I had  known  the  fellows  and  the  professors  all  my  life. 
There  was  nothing  stiff  or  formal — even  stiff  collars  were  taboo.  Every 
Freshman  had  a dandy  chance  to  learn  all  the  college  songs  and  yells. 

Our  class  contests  have  been  lively,  too.  You  know  it  is  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan tradition  that  one  of  the  first  things  on  the  program  every  year  is 
the  settling  of  certain  “differences  of  opinion”  that  are  bound  to  come  up 
between  the  two  lower  classes.  Of  course  there  isn’t  anything  to  it  that 
you  would  call  hazing,  but  you  can  imagine  that  when  those  Sophs  get 
out  those  arrogant  sounding  posters,  informing  us  that  they  are  our  lords 
and  masters,  we  just  have  to  show  our  sentiments  on  the  matter  by  dis- 
obeying their  orders.  So  experience  has  proved  that,  instead  of  a long 
siege  of  guerilla  warfare,  it  is  better  to  bring  the  argument  to  a focus  in 
a sportsmanlike  way. 

The  contests  began  on  the  second  Saturday,  up  above  the  dam  on 
the  Olentangy,  where  we  had  the  swimming  races  and  the  tug-of-war 
across  the  river.  Our  class  had  a couple  of  dandy  swimmers,  who  took 
five  of  the  ten  points  in  that  event.  I was  one  of  the  twenty  men  on  our 
team  in  the  tug-of-war,  which  came  next.  You  can  guess  how  we  pulled 


already  learned  that  team-work  is  a big  thing  at  Ohio  Wesleyan.  Pretty 
soon  we  found  our  end  of  the  rope  was  being  pulled  through  the  Olentangy 
— but,  of  course,  we  were  good  enough  sports  to  hold  tight,  and  take  our 
ducking. 

But  that  just  whetted  our  appetite  for  the  pole  rush  in  the  afternoon, 
which  is  a distinctive  Ohio  Wesleyan  affair.  They  put  an  eighteen-foot 
pole,  with  six  twenty-foot  ropes  on  each  side,  right  in  the  center  of  the 
main  football  field.  With  all  the  men  in  each  class  lined  up  on  opposing 
sides  fifty  feet  from  the  pole,  maybe  there  wasn’t  some  scramble  getting 
to  that  pole  when  the  gun  cracked.  I don’t  remember  much  about  the 
rest,  for  I was  too  busy  helping  to  get  that  piece  of  furniture  over  on  our 
side  and  keeping  it  there.  All  over  the  field  were  little  “personal”  inter- 
views in  the  shape  of  wrestling  matches.  I lost  most  of  my  shirt  once  but 
got  an  old  sweater  and  didn’t  lose  much  time  getting  back  into  the  rush. 

It  wasn’t  exactly  a kid-glove  affair,  and  yet  there  wasn’t  a bit  of 
slugging,  and  everything  was  good-natured.  The  big  crowd  on  the  side- 
lines was  just  as  excited  as  we  were,  and  seemed  to  be  yelling,  but  we  could- 
n’t hear  them  out  in  that  mixup.  Well,  we  out-numbered  the  Sophs  so 
heavily  that  it  wasn’t  long  until  the  pole  was  on  our  side.  After  the 
whistle  blew,  I helped  carve  our  class  numerals  beneath  the  line  of  previous 
winners  on  that  old  scarred  pole! 

The  pole  rush  counted  15  and  the  tug  10,  so  we  now  had  a lead,  20 
to  15.  But  the  honors  depended  on  the  track  meet,  on  the  next  Saturday. 
There  was  a bunch  of  high  school  stars  on  both  teams,  and  you  never  saw 
a prettier  meet.  You  know  I was  always  a pretty  fair  runner,  so  after 
I tried  out  they  saved  me  for  the  relay  race.  I wanted  to  be  in  some  of 
the  other  dashes,  but  it  was  lucky  I wasn’t,  for  the  score  was  close — so 
close  that  when  we  won  the  relay  it  decided  the  whole  meet!  That’s 
team-work  and  head-work,  too. 


i 


That  night  we  had  a parade 
— raked  up  our  own  band  and 
all.  Of  course  we  ended  up  at 
Monnett  Hall — that’s  where  the 
girls  live.  Since  they  had  been 
helping  out 
loyally  all  dur- 
ing the  con- 
tests they  de- 
served to  help 
celebrate. 
They  were 

a couple  boxes  of  W " waitin'*.  too, 

freshly  made  fudge.  41  ^ ■ and  after  we 

to  have  a formal  them  awhile 

flag-raising,  when  we  keep  our  colors  ^*441  they  |et  <jown 

for  a whole  day  at  the  top  of  the  big 
Varsity  flag-pole.  That  means  that  everybody  buries  the  hatchet — 
but  I have  already  found  that  there  are  several  dandy  fellows  among 
those  Sophs,  after  you  get  to  know  them. 

I suppose  you  have  heard  of  the  famous  Sulphur  Spring.  Much 
sentiment  and  historical  tradition  centering  around  it  have  made  it  a 
shrine  to  Wesleyan  people.  At  Alumni  gatherings  hundreds  of  miles  away, 
a jug  of  its  “odorous”  waters  will  often  be  found  on  the  banquet  board. 
You  know,  it  was  because  of  the  spring’s  healthful  qualities  that  the  old 
Mansion  House,  later  to  be  the  home  of  the  new  college,  came  into  exist- 
ence as  a health  resort,  back  in  the  thirties.  Its  “flowing  bowl”  has 
always  been  the  theme  of  song  and  story,  and  it  is  said  that  many  a college 
romance  has  begun  beside  its  bubbling  tide. 

In  the  latter  subject  I haven’t  had  time  to  become  much  interested, 
but  I do  know  that  the  spring  is  a mighty  good  ducking  place,  for  I was 
in  once  myself,  and  helped  give  three  Sophs  an  impromptu  bath.  As  you 
can  guess,  the  bowl  was  quite  a center  of  attraction  for  the  first  few  days. 

Each  Freshman  has  a little  black  cap  that  is  always  worn  by  first 
year  men.  It  is  an  easy  way  for  us  to  recognize  each  other.  We  wear 
these  caps  till  the  spring  vacation,  when  we  can  burn  them  with  lots  of 
ceremony.  But  I believe  I will  keep  mine  for  my  “stunt”  book,  because 
I want  to  remember  all  the  good  times  it  is  connected  with. 

The  class  contests  and  the  life  of  these  first  eventful  weeks  have  made 
each  of  us  new  students  loyal  to  our  class.  Also,  back  of  that  has  come 
a loyalty  that  I know  is  to  be  many  times  stronger — loyalty  to  the  old 
college,  and  the  ideals  for  which  she  stands — and  that  is  one  character- 
istic I have  noted  in  Ohio  Wesleyan  men  and  women. 

Your  Chum,  Jack. 


Dear  Sis  : 


A Day  on  the  Campus 


I judge  from  your  last  few  letters  that  you  think  college  life  is  made 
up  mostly  of  good  times  and  doesn’t  keep  me  very  busy.  So  I am  just 
going  to  describe  a day  on  the  campus,  that  you  may  see  it  is  not  only  a 
pretty  busy  life  but  a very  useful  one.  I am  going  to  tell  you  about  last 
Friday,  because  Friday  is  always  full  of  interest. 

I have  three  classes  on  Friday — some  days  I have  more  and  some 
less.  The  first  one  begins  at  7 :4 5 and  closes  just  in  time  for  Chapel.  I 
wish  you  could  be  here  for  Chapel  to  see  the  hundreds  of  students  hurrying 
from  the  different  buildings  and  from  all  parts  of  town  to  the  morning  service. 

Chapel  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  has  been  a distinctive  service  from  the 
very  beginning,  away  back  in  the  ’40’s  when  there  were  only  two  professors 
and  about  two  score  of  students.  This  service  “sets  the  pitch”  spiritually 
and  intellectually  for  the  whole  day’s  work.  Gray  Chapel  is  an  immense 
auditorium  in  the  form  of  a quarter  circle.  Overhead  is  a colored  glass 
dome  from  which  hangs  a large  American  flag.  The  students  are  seated 
according  to  classes  in  various  sections,  and  the  faculty,  about  one  hun- 
dred in  number,  faces  us  on  the  circular  platform. 


Lots  of  those  professors  bear  a national  reputation,  and  some  of  them 
have  served  almost  all  their  lives  at  Ohio  Wesleyan,  until  their  names 
have  become  affectionate  by-words  in  college  history.  It  has  been  the 
policy  of  the  college  to  bring  into  the  faculty,  men  whose  records  promise 
leadership  in  their  fields.  I have  found,  too,  that  every  professor  and 
instructor  takes  an  interest  in  my  success,  both  in  and  out  of  the  class-room. 


President  Hoffman  enters  the  Chapel  as  the  final  bell  rings;  the  jani- 
tors close  the  doors,  the  organ  prelude  ceases  and  the  noisy  hum  of  the 
assemblage  dies  away.  After  the  Doxology  comes  the  reading  of  the  notices 
of  the  day — club  meetings,  department  notices,  announcements  of  athletic 
events  and  the  hundred  and  one  items  that  interest  both  students  and 
faculty.  The  last  notice  calls  for  a “mass  meeting”  after  Chapel.  Fol- 
lowing the  notices  come  the  Devotional 
exercises,  with  a short  talk  by  “Prexy” — 

concise,  en- 
couraging and 
construc- 
tive, holding 
our  interest 
from  first  to 
last. 

One  of  the 


big  inspirations  in  college  is  just  the  daily  contact 
with  Prexy.  He  has  a frank,  wholesome  way  of 
discussing  life’s  problems,  and  the  genuine  inter- 
est he  takes  in  all  our  activities  makes  a fellow 
feel  like  doing  every  piece  of  work  just  a little  bit 
better.  Dr.  Hoffman  was  quite  an  athlete  himself 
in  college  days  and  he  hasn’t  lost  a bit  of  his 
vigor  and  enthusiasm;  when  duties  permit,  he 
may  be  seen  watching  the  teams  in  their  practice 
from  the  side  lines.  Of  course  I’m  no  angel,  Sis, 
but  when  Prexy  talks  in  that  earnest  way  of  his,  I feel  that  it  is  the 
most  worth-while  thing  in  the  world  to  live  a clean,  straight-forward  life. 

The  only  unfortunate  thing  about  Dr.  Hoffman  is  that  we  have  to 
share  him  so  much  with  other  communities.  Being  a forceful  speaker, 
he  is  in  demand  for  gatherings  of  all  kinds.  Prexy  is  a tireless  worker, 
and  an  executive  for  whom  others  like  to  work. 

After  the  devotional  exercises,  the  mass  meeting  began.  The  Presi- 
dent of  the  Student  Body  left  his  seat  in  the  Senior  section  to  take  the 
place  of  “Prexy”  on  the  platform.  The  student  band  struck  up  the  strains 
of  “Delaware  the  Beautiful”  and  the  Song  Leader  also  came  forward. 
The  meeting  was  to  boost  the  annual  debate  held  Friday  evening  as 
a part  of  the  triangular  debating  schedule.  The  University  believes  in 
intellectual  as  well  as  physical  excellence,  as  you  can  guess  when  I tell 
you  that  we  have  lost  only  one  debate  on  the  home  floor  in  twenty-two 
years.  Counting  debates  on  foreign  floors  Wesleyan  has  a record  of 
forty-five  victories  out  of  sixty-nine  contests.  That  will  help  you  under- 
stand the  keen  interest  everybody  takes  in  debating. 

The  head  of  the  Oratory  Department  made  a short  speech,  followed  by 
talks  from  the  members  of  the  team.  (I  don’t  know  how  that  Cheer 
Leader  keeps  his  balance  on  the  platform  with  all  those  gyrations  by  which 
he  punctuates  the  college  yells).  After  we  gave 
the  team  a rousing  send-off  we  finished  by  singing 
“Wesleyan  Must  Win”  just  as  the  Chapel  bell 
rang  its  warning.  As  we  poured  out  into  the 
main  corridor,  a song  “My  Girl’s  Too  Good  For 
You,  She’s  From  O.  W.  U.”  began,  and  every- 
body took  up  the  tune.  Yells  and  more  songs 
seemed  to  spring  from  nowhere  in  particular, 
lasting  until  the  good  natured  crowd  had  scattered 
in  all  directions  to  the  classrooms. 

Classroom  work  kept  me  busy  two  more 
hours  of  the  day.  When  you  come  to  Delaware 
you  must  not  miss  a visit  to  one  of  the  classrooms. 

Thoroughness  and  accuracy  are  the  ideals  of  Ohio 
Wesleyan  scholarship,  and  she  is  proud  of  the  re- 


cords  her  Alumni  have  made  in  professional  and  graduate  schools. 

The  laboratories  have  an  air  of  painstaking  industry  that  shows  that 
the  students  there  have  learned  howT  to  study.  To  them  have  come  many 
who  later  became  scientists  of  note,  among  them  the  co-inventor  of  the 
telephone  and  the  man  who  is  largely  responsible  for  the  success  of  the 
X-Ray  photography. 

Whenever  I find  time,  I like  to  browse  around  in  the  big  library. 
It  is  not  often  that  one  has  daily  access  to  such  a wealth  of  literature. 
Almost  every  table  in  the  big  reading  room  is  filled  all  day.  (There  is  a 
very  capable  girl  that  sits  next  to  me  in  English  class,  and  she  and  I have 
been  doing  some  interesting  research  work  together.) 

Besides  the  literature,  there  are  two  very  interesting  collections 
given  to  the  University  by  Frank  Wakeley  Gunsaulus,  a Wesleyan  alumnus. 
One  shows  the  history  of  the  transmission  of  human  thought.  In  it  you 
will  find  the  methods  of  writing  beginning  with  the  Cuneiform  tablets 
followed  by  the  Papyrus  scroll  and  later  manuscripts  and  books.  The 
other  is  a Browning  Collection  in  which  are  a number  of  books  used  by 
Robert  Browning  and  Mrs.  Browning  with  their  pencilled  notes  in  the 
margins  and  other  treasures  from  the  poet’s  home.  A letter  to  Robert 
Browning  from  George  Elliott  is  especially  interesting. 

Most  college  work  is  over  by  three  o’clock,  after  which  come  “Gym” 
and  athletics.  In  the  Gymnasium  you  can  find  exercises  of  all  kinds, 
from  Indian  club  drills,  boxing  and  wrestling,  to  regular  circus  acrobatics. 


During  most  of  the  college  course  Gym-  ^ 
nasium  work  is  required. 

You  remember  Edwards  Gymnasium 
no  doubt,  Sis,  for  it  is  known  in  every 
Ohio  school  as  the  basketball  center  of 
the  state  thru  the  annual  high  school 
basketball  tournament  for  the  state 
championship. 

Ohio  Wesleyan  has  a Department  of 
Physical  Education  that  is  ex- 
tremely well  organized.  Splen- 
did courses  in  coaching  and 
physical  instruction  are  fea- 
tures of  it.  Everything  is 
under  a well-known  physical 
director  who  has  under  him 
expert  coaches  for  every  major 
sport  and  leaders  for  the  daily  Gym  classes. 

There  are  almost  a hundred  men  in  my  Gym  class.  After  the  leader 
puts  us  thru  a lot  of  drills  and  exercises  that  keeps  us  “on  our  toes”  we 
disband  into  groups  for  fencing,  track  work,  basketball,  etc. 

(Later  I want  to  tell  you  all  about  the  gymnasium  and  about  the 
athletic  history  of  Ohio  Wesleyan.) 

A notebook  that  is  due  in  one  of  my  classes  next  week  kept  me  busy 
for  the  spare  time  between  gymnasium  and  the  dinner  hour,  which  never 
comes  too  soon. 

With  study  rules  removed  on  Friday  night,  everybody  looks  forward 
to  relaxation.  Some  of  the  “fussers”  awaited  their  turns  at  the  ’phone 
to  make  dates  with  the  fair  ones  at  the  “Sem.”  But  as  for  me,  I joined  the 
group  that  went  down  to  the  weekly  Y.  M.  C.  A.  “Friday  nighter,”  which 
began  early  in  order  not  to  conflict  with  the  debate  scheduled  for  8:15. 

The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  is  the  college  man’s  practical  heart-to-heart  way  of 
getting  at  the  basis  of  religion.  I was  amazed  the  first  time  I attended. 
Sis,  when  I found  something  that  was  entirely  new  to  me — several  hundred 
men  who  were  fairly  eager  to  tell,  simply,  what  Christianity  meant  to 
them.  I was  glad  to  know  that  such  a meeting  was  to  be  my  privilege 
every  week  of  the  year. 


The  Association  takes  ac- 
tive part  in  the  social  and  every- 
day side  of  college  life.  A di- 
rectory published  each  semester 
and  a handbook  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year  are 
supplied  at  cost.  As  for 


the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  secretary — we 
simply  couldn’t  get  along  with- 
out him.  He  is  everybody’s 
friend;  whether  you  want  the 
time  of  the  next  train  to  Colum- 
bus or  advice  regarding  your 
life  work,  the  little  office  in  Gray 
Chapel,  next  door  to  Prexy’s,  is 
the  place  to  go. 

The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  meeting 
closed  just  in  time  for  us  to  hear 
the  band  “warming  up”  in  the 
main  auditorium,  preparing  for 
the  debate.  If  you  had  been 
here  you  would  have  sat  upstairs, 
for  according  to  custom,  every 
girl  is  seated  in  the  balcony  and  wears  a white  middy  and  red  tie.  The 
effect  on  the  visiting  speakers  is  so  charming  that  it  is  enough  to  make 
them  forget  their  speeches  then  and  there. 

After  the  last  rebuttal  had  been  made  there  was  an  anxious  hush  as 
we  waited  for  the  votes  of  the  three  judges,  who  were  professors  from 
other  Universities.  Then  the  decision  was  announced — two  to  one — in 
favor  of  Ohio  Wesleyan — and  the  cheering  that  let  loose  was  almost  enough 
to  raise  the  roof! 

Every  day  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  is  a busy  day,  with  definite  results  to 
be  accomplished.  Hard  and  efficient  work  is  combined  with  profitable 
play  to  put  us  in  trim  for  the  “real”  game  of  life. 

Your  loving  brother. 

Jack. 

Dear  Sis: 

I suppose  you  have  heard  of  the  college  student  who  said  that  “he 
really  hadn’t  much  time  to  give  his  lessons  because  he  was  too  busy  with 
his  college  work,”  referring  to  the  numerous  organizations  outside  of  the 
classroom  which  took  his  time. 

Luckily,  that  doesn’t  happen  here  or  anywhere  else  very  often; 
usually  the  various  clubs,  teams,  etc.,  supplement  the  class-room  training 
by  developing  executive  ability  and  individuality  that  help  a person  to 
“make  good”  in  life.  By  cutting  us  off  from  these  activities  when  our 
grades  show  that  studies  have  been  neglected,  the  faculty  sees  that  the 
classroom  work  comes  first. 

The  activities  outside  the  curriculum  include  those  of  “student 
government,”  athletics,  and  the  various  societies,  clubs  and  organizations. 
I am  going  to  tell  you  about  a few  of  them. 


Student  government  is  developed  about  as  far  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  as 
at  any  college  in  the  country.  The  entire  student  body  elects  a President, 
who  takes  charge  of  all  student  meetings  and  confers  with  the  “powers 
that  be”  on  matters  of  common  interest.  The  student  body  has  legislative 
functions,  and  the  Honor  Court  is  the  judicial  body  which  attends  to  all 
violations  of  the  Honor  Code. 


A student  government  plan  that  everybody  likes  is  the  Budget 
System,  whereby  a fee  of  $6.00  per  semester  is  paid  into  a general  fund 
wdiich  entitles  every  one  to  admission  to  all  games  and  debates,  and  pro- 
vides for  payment  of  bills  in  case  of  illness.  The  plan  is  much  cheaper 
in  the  long  run  and,  in  addition,  promotes  better  attendance  at  games. 

Today  on  the  big  bulletin  board  in  the  corridor  of  Gray  Chapel 
is  a humorous  figure  in  gorgeous  colors  announcing  a play  to  be 
given  by  the  Histrionic  Club.  The  players  are  trained  in  the  Department 
of  Oratory,  and  the  popular  plays  the  club  puts  on  each  year  are  often 
said  to  rival  those  of  professional  companies.  There  are  clubs  enough 
here  for  everybody.  There  is  the  Science  Club,  the  English  Writers’ Club, 
the  Histrionic  Club,  the  Cercle  Francais,  the  Spanish  Club,  the  Philosophi- 
cal Club,  the  Oxford  Club  for  prospective  ministers.  The  three  honorary 
fraternities,  Delta  Sigma  Rho,  Gamma  Phi  and  Pi  Delta  Epsilon,  are 
organized  to  keep  up  the  standard  of  oratory,  gymnastics  and  journalism 
respectively. 


From  what  I have  told 
you,  I guess  you  know 
that  Ohio  Wesleyan  is 
somewhat  of  a musical 
school.  There  is  a 
men’s  Glee  Club 
that  gives  enter- 
tainments  in 
Ohio  and  neigh- 
boring states  dur- 
ing vacations 
and  week-ends. 

This  Glee  Club, 
in  competition 
with  the  clubs 
of  Harvard,  Yale 
and  Princeton, 
was  selected  by 
the  United 
States  govern- 
ment for  a trip 
to  the  Panama 


Canal  Zone  in  the  summer  of  1921. 
The  Choral  Club,  a similar  organi- 
zation among  the  women,  gives  an 
annual  concert  in  Gray  Chapel. 
The  Varsity  male  quartet  also 
makes  long  tours,  and  during  the 
summer  has  sometimes  been  booked 
for  Chautauqua  Circuits.  Member- 
ship is  competitive,  and  weekly 
training  is  given  by  a member  of  the^faculty  of  the  School  of  Music. 

The  Volunteer  Band,  made  up  of  prospective  missionaries,  is  the  sec- 
ond largest  in  the  world.  John  R.  Mott  says  that  we  send  out  more 
missionaries  than  any  other  American  co-educational  school,  and  yet 
only  one-tenth  of  our  students  are  preparing  for  religious  work.  In 
Asia  four  colleges,  enrolling  over  2000,  are  the  result  of  Ohio  Wesleyan 
activity.  Each  year  all  of  us  “get  in  the  game”  a little  bit  by  contrib- 
uting toward  some  work  in  the  foreign  field. 

In  Methodism,  Ohio  Wesleyan  has  become  known  as  the  “Mother 
of  Bishops.”  And,  just  think,  more  than  thirty  of  her  alumni  have  served 
as  College  Presidents.  From  her  leadership  in  church  and  college  activities, 
you  can  see  that  the  moral  atmosphere  gives  a student  every  chance  to 
develop  Christian  ideals  and  a clean  character. 

The  development  of  a sound  body  is  emphasized  just  as  strongly, 
too.  A physical  examination  is  given  to  every  student,  so  that  corrective 
exercises  may  be  recommended  if  necessary.  Besides  gymnastic  work 
there  are  athletic  facilities  enough  for  everybody.  The  attempt  is  not 
simply  to  develop  a few  stars,  but  to  provide  recreation  for  every  student. 
The  gymnasium  in  the  winter,  and  the  athletic  fields  at  all  other  times, 
are  about  the  busiest  places  you  could  find. 

The  gymnasium  contains  three  basketball  courts.  The  main  floor  is 
long  enough  for  the  regulation  40-yard  dash,  for  which  it  is  used,  as  well 
as  for  the  hurdle  races  and  the  field  events,  in  the  indoor  meets.  The 
running  track  on  the  gallery  above,  is  one  of  the  largest  in  the  state. 

It  does  a fellow  good  to  go  down  to  the  swimming  pool  in  the  base- 
ment for  a plunge  every  now  and  then.  The  pool  is  a large  one,  and  the 
filtration  system  keeps  the  water  clean  and  inviting  all  the  time.  The 
basement  is  fitted  up  with  locker  rooms  for  visiting  teams,  baseball  and 
handball  courts,  and  rubbing  rooms  where  Varsity  men  get  their  “rub- 
down”  during  training  season.  On  the  main  floor  are  lockers  and  shower 
baths  enough  for  everybody. 

From  the  east  window  of  the  main  floor,  we  can  look  out  on  the  covered 
grandstand  of  the  Athletic  field,  just  a few  feet  away.  A hundred-yard 
straight-away  stretches  in  front  of  the  grandstand,  and  a quarter-mile 
track  circles  the  football  and  baseball  fields.  At  the  other  end  may  be 
seen  the  tennis  courts,  which  are  constantly  in  use  when  weather  permits. 


In  the  Director’s  office  are  trophies  of  many  athletic  victories.  Did 
you  know  that  the  first  game  of  intercollegiate  football  in  Ohio  was  played 
between  Wesleyan  and  Ohio  State  in  1892,  and  won  by  the  former?  We 
also  won  the  first  college  soccer  game  in  Ohio  in  1914  and  the  first  swimming 
match  in  1917,  Ohio  State  being  the  loser  in  each  case. 

Among  the  trophies  are  the  pictures  of  four  teams  which  have  won 
State  football  championships  and  of  three  basketball  champions.  In 
basketball,  in  recent  years,  the  Red  and  Black  has  broken  even  with 
Ohio  State,  now  a member  of  the  Western  Conference.  Five  championship 
baseball  teams  are  found  between  1892  and  1917.  Besides  having  won 
the  state  relay  championship  three  times  in  four  years,  Wesleyan  holds 
the  state  records  in  two  events.  She  also  won  her  class  race  in  the  mile 
relay  at  the  1913  U.  of  P.  International  Intercollegiate  Meet  in  Philadel- 
phia. 

Yesterday  I stopped  at  the  up-town  office  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan 
Transcript  to  find  out  how  I could  earn  a place  on  its  staff.  The  paper  is 
an  eight-page  weekly,  with  an  office  fitted  up  as  nearly  as  possible  like 
a big  city  daily.  On  the  two  days  each  week  before  publication,  it  has 
all  the  noisy  bustle  of  its  larger  contemporaries.  All  the  vacancies  are 
filled  by  competition,  popularity  and  favoritism  having  no  weight  with 
the  Board  of  Control.  The  training  is  splendidly  practical,  for  the  staff 
does  everything  from  getting  the  ads  to  writing  “heads”  and  “making  up.” 

In  the  spring  I will  have  to  send  you  a copy  of  Le  Bijou,  the  college 
annual  that  is  published  by  a staff  elected  by  the  Junior  Class.  It  is  a 
big  book  full  of 
pictures  and  des- 
criptions of  all 
kinds  of  college 
life,  and  there  will 
be  several  pictures 
of  me  in  different 
organizations. 

As  you  know,  I 
have  been  pledged 
to  one  of  the  fra- 


ternities  at  Ohio  Wesleyan.  There  are  eleven  national  fraternities  here 
besides  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Union,  Kappa  Sigma  Pi  and  the  Commons 
Club.  Each  of  these  organizations  has  its  own  house  where  its  members 
live  during  the  four  years  of  college  life.  About  half  the  men  in  the  student 
body  belong  to  the  fraternities.  Membership  is  not  valued  so  much  as 
a distinction  as  for  the  companionship  and  social  life  it  brings.  As  far 
as  popularity  and  the  securing  of  college  offices  are  concerned,  there 
isn’t  much  difference  between  fraternity  and  non-fraternity  men.  De- 
mocracy is  the  key  note  of  the  success  of  fraternity  life  here. 


Of  course,  I can’t  be  initiated  until  I have  passed  one  semester  of 
college  work.  I am  just  a “prep”  now  and  have  to  pay  attention  to  the 
orders  of  the  upper  classmen.  However,  I don’t  object  to  that,  for  the 
helpful  advice  I get  from  the  upper  classmen  about  my  studies,  etc., 
means  a lot  to  me. 


I wish  I could  show  you  over  our  house  and  point  out  the  trophies 
we  have  won  in  the  past,  and  the  pictures  of  the  men  of  national  promi- 
nence— brothers  who  used  to  be  in  the  same  place  where  I am  now.  Of 
course.  Sis,  you  couldn’t  realize  just  what  it  means  to  me,  but  when  our 
little  circle  gathers  around  the  grate  fire  in  the  “den”  to  sing  or  have  a 
quiet  talk,  a fellow  feels  something  inside,  sort  of  a thrill,  for  he  realizes 
that  his  companionship  is  going  to  be  one  of  the  big  things  of  his  college 
days. 

But  you  must  not  get  the  idea  that  all  of  Ohio  Wesleyan’s  social 
life  centers  around  the  fraternities,  for  besides  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Union, 


Kappa  Sigma  Pi  and  the  Commons  Club,  the  rest  of  the  men  of  the  col- 
lege are  organized  more  or  less  loosely  into  boarding  clubs.  Dinner 
parties  are  sometimes  given  by  the  clubs  which  are  also  usually  represented 
in  athletics  by  very  good  baseball  and  basketball  teams. 

To  try  to  excel  in  one  “outside”  activity,  and  to  give  loyal  support  to 
the  others  when  possible,  is  the  advice  of  the  faculty  members  to  whom  I 
have  talked.  That  is  the  plan  I want  to  follow,  that  I may  get  the  most 
out  of  college  life. 

Lovingly, 

Jack. 


Homecoming  Day  and  the  Last  Game 

Dear  Tom: 

I am  mighty  sorry  you  could  not  come  up  to  Delaware  over  Home- 
coming Day.  There  are  certain  days  of  college  life  that  stand  out  more 
than  others,  and  this  was  one  of  them.  I have  begun  to  see  that  there  is 
more  to  a college  education  than  what  we  learn  out  of  the  text  books, 
and  I can  see  why  folks  who  have  once  attended  Ohio  Wesleyan  like  to 
come  back  just  as  often  as  they  can  find  the  time. 

Invitations  were  sent  out  to  all  the  Alumni  several  weeks  ago,  setting 
the  homecoming  on  the  day  of  the  last  football  game.  The  program 
that  was  arranged  was  enough  to  tempt  the  busiest  of  them  to  leave 
pressing  affairs  to  return  to  the  old  school  for  the  week-end. 

I want  to  tell  you  first  about  our  parade,  because  I was  in  it — almost 
every  other  student,  was,  too,  for  that  matter.  You  see,  the  committee 
gave  a prize  to  the  organization  with  the  best  float  in  the  procession. 
Our  class  certainly  had  a dandy,  on  which  we  had  worked  all  Friday 
afternoon.  Though  we  didn’t 
win  the  prize,  the  girl  that  sits 
next  to  me  in  English  says  she 
thinks  ours  was  really  the  clever- 
est one  of  all.  (There  are  some 
mighty  fine  girls  here,  Tom, 
after  a fellow  gets  time  to  get 
acquainted.) 

Homecoming  is  also  a meeting 
time  for  the  “W”  Association, 
composed  of  every  man  who  has 
won  his  letter  in  college  athletics 
at  Ohio  Wesleyan.  Every  “W” 
man  is  a live  booster  for  Varsity 
activities,  some  of  them  coming 
back  during  the  year  to  help 


coach  the  teams.  A prime  spirit  in  the  “W” 
Association  is  Branch  Rickey,  ’04  President  of  the 
St.  Louis  Nationals.  He  is  scheduled  to  speak 
tonight  at  the  bonfire  at  Monnett  Hall.  Every 
athlete  must  feel  especially  proud  that  he  fought 
Ohio  Wesleyan’s  battles,  for  the  University 
presents  each  “W”  man  with  a gold  medal,  which 
is  a permanent  pass  to  every  college  contest  he 
may  desire  to  attend. 

I wish  you  could  have  seen  that  game.  Autos 
were  packed  hub  to  hub  near  the  entrance.  The 
crisp,  autumn  air  put  a zest  for  the  game  in  every- 
body’s veins,  and  kept  unfurled  the  big  Varsity 
pennant,  hanging  from  the  lofty  flag  pole,  just  beneath  Old  Glory.  Gala 
bunting  set  off  the  goal-posts  on  the  field,  and  flashed  here  and  there  in 
the  big  crowd  that  filled  the  grandstand  and  overflowed  the  temporary 
bleachers. 

When  the  cheer-leader  called  for  a “regular  yell,”  the  answer  showed 
that  the  old  grads  handn’t  lost  their  rooting  ability.  Then  the  Red  and 
Black  team  swung  onto  the  field,  their  entrance  bringing  everybody 
to  their  feet.  It  was  the  last  Varsity  game  for  the  three  Seniors — veterans 
of  the  team.  As  the  cheer-leader  called  their  names  again  and  again, 
we  were  glad  to  pay  this  tribute  to  the  fellows  who  had  fought  our  battles 
so  often  and  so  well. 

The  game  was  a decisive  one,  for  Ohio 
Wesleyan  usually  picks  out  her  strongest 
rival  for  the  homecoming  game.  The 
season  hadn’t  brought  all  victories,  Tom, 
but  every  game  was  a struggle,  in  which 
our  team  gave  a good  account  of  itself. 

Sometimes  the  last  game  decides  Ohio 
Wesleyan’s  claim  to  the  State  champion- 
ship, and  you  can  imagine  how  tense  the 
interest  is  then. 

Ohio  Wesleyan  teams  are  taught  to 
fight  hard  and  play  fair,  in  keeping  with 
the  modern  trend  of  athletics  in  most 
colleges.  The  spirit  of  fair  play  is  mani- 
fested in  the  quiet  that  is  observed  in 
the  stand  while  the  visiting  team  is  call- 
ing its  signals. 

One  thing  that  adds  a great  deal  to 
the  game  is  the  University  Band.  I 
wish  I could  play  in  the  band,  for  it 
surely  knows  how  to  play  “regular 


music.”  Every  member,  excluding  the  leader, 
is  an  undergraduate.  Every  musical  instrument 
that  could  be  used  is  found  there;  the  University 
furnishes  instruction  and  some  of  the  instruments; 
the  Athletic  Association  sees  that  the  band 
is  not  only  admitted  to  home  games  but  is 
often  taken  along  to  neighboring  colleges. 

All  I can  tell  you  about  the  game  is  that 
we  won,  and  that  it  was  announced  there 
would  be  a “celebration  at  Monnett  at 
seven  o’clock.”  Even  when  the  home  com- 
ing game  is  not  a victory  the  occasion 
would  not  be  complete  without  a celebra- 
tion, for  true  sportsmen  can  take  pride  in 
a game  well  played,  even  though  lost. 

The  celebration  was  almost  the  best  part  of  the  day.  Monnett  Hall, 
the  home  of  the  girls,  is  about  a fifteen  minute  walk  from  the  main  campus. 
After  a hasty  bite  of  lunch,  I hurried  down  town  and  helped  prepare  for 
the  bonfire.  Three  or  four  wagons  rumbled  mysteriously  out  of  as  many 
alleys  and  were  soon  piled  high  with  boxes  and  barrels,  for  the  visible 
supply  of  firewood  had  been  estimated  and  located  for  some  time  back. 
The  leader  for  the  evening  was  perched  insecurely  upon  one  of  the  loads, 
giving  orders  to  us  who  had  volunteered  to  pull  the  wagons. 

A running  start  carried  us  up  the  slope  of  the  hill  and  almost  before 

the  wagons  were  backed  into  place  they 
were  unloaded  and  a match  applied. 
The  band  had  been  straggling  along  as 
fast  as  it  could  follow,  playing  something 
to  the  effect  that  “The  Gang’s  All  Here.” 
Now  they  struck  an  impromptu  air,  the 
blaze  lighted  up  the  scene  and  I found 
myself  on  the  inside  of  a jolly,  surging 
circle,  which  was  kept  by  the  glow  of  the 
bonfire  at  a respectful  distance. 

The  yell-leader,  upon  a rickety  box,  call- 
ed for  a few  yells  to  start  the  ball  rolling. 
You  can  imagine  that  we  made  ourselves 
heard  in  cheering  the  men  who  won  the 
game.  Then  each  one  of  them  was 
called  into  the  lime  light  for  a short, 
snappy  speech.  There  was  an  indes- 
cribable feeling  of  loyalty  and  pride  in 
the  voices  of  those  heroes  who  were  the 
center  of  the  jollification.  I wonder  if 
I will  ever  stand  in  their  place  and 


experience  that  sensation!  Between  songs,  “Prexy” 
and  the  coaches  were  called  upon  and,  with  several 
noted  Alumni,  added  just  the  right  touch  to  the  oc- 

casion.  From 
their  vantage 
points  on  the 
big  porch,  the 
steps  and  sur- 
rounding  win- 
dows, the  girls 
started  singing  some  of 
their  songs.  With  the 
dying  out  of  the  bonfire, 
and  the  realization  that 
almost  an  hour  had 
passed,  we  made  our 
retreat  in  the  form  of  an 
old  fashioned  snake  dance. 
Occasions  like  this  are  the  kind  that  stick  in  one’s  memory,  Tom. 
Some  day  I hope  homecoming  will  mean  as  much  to  me  as  it  did  to  those 
Alumni. 


Your  Chum, 


Jack. 


Old  Monnett 

Dear  Sis: 

Did  you  know  that  Monnett  Hall  was  the  second  largest  girl’s  dormi- 
tory in  the  country?  The  girl  that  sits  next  to  me  in  English  class  was 
telling  me  about  the  good  times  they  have  up  there,  while  we  were  taking 
a walk  out  to  Greenwood  Lake.  The  time  went  so  fast  we  had  to  take  one 
of  those  famous  one-man  street  cars  to  get  her  back  in  time  for  dinner. 
When  she  invited  me  up  later  to  see  the  place  for  myself  I accepted  the 
invitation,  for  I knew  you  would  enjoy  hearing  about  it. 

Monnett  Hall  is  a home  for  over  three  hundred  of  the  girls,  while 
many  others  live  “out  in  town”  at  the  various  cottages,  as  they  are  called. 
You  can  imagine  that  much  Ohio  Wesleyan  life  centers  in  historic  old 
Monnett. 

My  first  impression  of  the  long,  irregular  brick  building  was  at  the 
bonfire  celebration,  when  I could  merely  make  out  its  dim  shadowy  out- 
lines, with  its  multitude  of  blazing  windows,  the  white  porch  crowded  with 
girls  whose  faces  were  glowing  in  the  fire-light.  By  day-light  the  romantic 
old  “Sem”  presents  an  even  prettier  sight,  festooned  with  ivy  and  shadowed 
by  tall  oaks  and  maples,  growing  as  Nature  planted  them. 


As  you  approach  the  campus,  you  see  on  the  right  Lyon  Hall,  with 
its  round,  gray  stone  tower.  It  contains  the  School  of  Fine  Arts,  in  which, 
besides  regular  courses  in  drawing  and  painting,  a special  study  is  made  of 
home  decoration.  The  rear  of  the  building  contains  the  new  laboratories 
for  the  courses  in  Home  Economics.  On  your  left  is  Sanborn  Hall,  a 
model  of  classical  beauty,  within  and  without.  It  is  the  home  of  the 
School  of  Music. 

My  guide  said : 

“You  should  see  the  campus  on  Monnett  Day,  when  the  girls  form 
one  long  white  procession,  winding  among  the  trees  to  the  music  of  the 
‘Spring  Song.’  Then  comes  the  crowning  of  the  May  Queen,  the  fantastic 
festive  dances,  the  pageant,  the  play  and  the  May-pole.  As  we  stand 
here  at  the  front  gate,  can  you  not  imagine  all  the  color  and  gayety  of  that 
day?” 

As  we  followed  the  broad  walk  from  the  gate  to  Monnett  porch,  we 
passed  thru  tangles  of  girls,  bidding  adieu  to  the  escorts  who  had  so 
thoughtfully  carried  their  books  from  the  campus.  Entering  the  main 
corridor,  we  found  on  the  left  the  office  of  the  Dean  of  Women.  From 
what  I have  learned,  in  former  days,  it  was  the  door  of  awe  and  mystery, 
behind  which  many  an  unhappy  culprit  faced  her  trial  for  some  misdemean- 
or, and  heard  her  sentence.  Now  the  Dean  acts  more  as  friendly  ad- 
viser and  a court  of  last  resort,  for  under  the  regime  of  student  govern- 
ment, the  girls  make  their  own  laws  and  fix  their  own  punishments. 

In  describing  the  system,  my  protectress  said : 

“A  committee  of  undergraduates,  elected  from  each  class  with  a 
Senior  for  presiding  officer,  is  the  chief  means  of  preserving  order  among 
the  girls  in  Monnett  Hall  and  the  larger  cottages  in  town.  Each  corridor 
in  the  Hall  and  each  cottage  elects  a Proctor, | whose  business  is  to  see 
that  we  are  in  our  rooms  by  nine-thirty  and  turn  our  lights  out  by  ten. 
Seniors  and  Juniors 


one  is  permitted  to 
attend  all  college 
affairs,  unless  she  is 
‘o  n probation ’ for 
abuse  of  privileges. 
Aside  from  the  fact 
that  we  get  into  trouble  if  we  attempt  to  ignore  these  more  or  less 
simple  rules,  college  spirit  demands  that  this  organization  have  the 
loyal  support  of  every  girl  in  college.” 


two  ‘nights  out’  a week,  and  Sophomores 
have  one,  but  everybody  has  to  registe1* 
where  she  is  going,  in  the 
little  black  student  govern- 
ment book  that  lies  on  the 
hall  table.  Of  course,  every 


We  walked  along  the  main  corridor,  the  walls  of  which  were  hung 
with  photographs  of  the  world’s  great  pictures,  and  passed  the  big  parlor, 
where  were  some  all-absorbed  couples  whom  we  didn’t  seem  to  disturb 
in  the  least.  A little  farther  along  was  the  room  of  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  whose 
members  give  the  new  girls  a cordial  welcome  and  introduce  them  in 
their  new  home.  As  practically  every  Monnett  girl  belongs,  you  would  be 
interested  in  what  she  told  me  about  this  organization.  She  continued: 


“This  Association  is  the  conserver  of  the  idealism  of  fine  living  and 
high  thinking  among  the  girls.  How  I wish  you  could  go  with  me  to  one 
of  the  Wednesday  night  meetings  where  a couple  of  hundred  girls  come 
reverently  for  worship  in  the  soft  evening  twilight,  and  talk  over  together 
in  one  big  family  all  the  things  that  concern  our  college  activities.  From 
the  minute  the  new  girl  enters  the  college  circle,  she  feels  this  protecting 
Christian  atmosphere.  The  Association  not  only  gives  inspiration  for 


finer  living,  but  also,  thru  its  various  committees,  affords  opportunity 
for  practical  Christian  service.  The  Association  publishes  the  college 
calendar,  and  from  the  proceeds  sends  eighteen  or  twenty  girls  to  the  big 
summer  conferences  at  Eagles  Mere,  where,  along  with  girls  from  eighty 
other  colleges,  they  spend  the  most  profitable  and  delightful  two  weeks 
imaginable. 

“Further  on  we  enter  the  loggia,  an  exquisite  nook  where  some  of 
our  art  treasures  are  kept.  There,  too,  is  the  silver  cup  which  was  given 
to  the  girls  for  a basketball  trophy.  Upon  it  are  engraved  the  names  of 
the  victorious  classes  in  that  most  exciting  event,  the  girls’  annual  basket- 
ball tournament.  On  this  oc- 
casion each  class  presents  its 
team  and  mascot  in  pictur- 
esque parade,  and  some  stunt 
vibrant  with  the  spice  of  col- 
lege life.  They  put  almost  as 
much  effort  into  out  singing  and 
outyelling  each  other  as  into 
winning  the  games.” 

Tennis  is  also  a popular 
game  at  Monnett.  Then  you 
know  there  are  regular  classes 
in  physical  instruction,  both 
outdoor  sports  and  the  teach- 
ing of  games  for  playground 
work,  and  in  the  gymnasium, 
where  there  is  training  in  wand 
and  dumbbell  and  club  work, 
with  emphasis  on  folk-dancing. 

I was  also  conducted  up- 
stairs, and  got  to  see  the  famous 
literary  society  halls,  which  are 
decorated  in  artistic  style.  The 
girls  have  two  societies,  each  bearing  noble  history.  A charter  mem- 
ber of  the  oldest  society  was  Miss  Lucy  Webb,  the  first  student  in  the  old 
Female  Academy,  and  later  to  be  the  wife  of  President  Rutherford  B. 
Hayes.  A handsome  full-length  mirror  in  the  main  corridor  downstairs 
was  presented  to  Monnett  by  Mrs.  Hayes  while  she  was  mistress  of  the 
White  House.  On  the  third  floor  is  the  big  study  hall  containing  a gener- 
ous portion  of  the  college  library,  and  a long  table  which  bespoke  many 
quiet  and  profitable  hours  of  study. 

I wish  you  could  have  seen  one  of  their  cozy  suites,  Sis,  with  its 
gay  pennants  and  pictures  and  cushions.  Its  very  atmosphere  would 
make  you  think  of  jolly  songs  and  sumptuous  feeds,  and  masquerade 


parties  of  every  kind.  On  Hallowe’en  the  whole  house  has  a masquerade 
— a ghost  party  down  in  the  dim,  spooky,  interminable  basement. 

Then  I heard  the  bell  ringing  below  for  dinner,  and  we  had  to  hurry 
lest  my  accommodating  friend  should  be  late.  I never  saw  such  a flock 
of  girls.  They  fairly  overflowed  those  stairways  and  corridors  until 
I felt  very  much  overwhelmed  in  their  midst. 

“More  than  three  hundred  of  us,”  my  companion  said,  “sit  down 
together  in  this  big  dining  room  every  day.  One  of  our  most  memorable 
occasions  is  the  breakfast  on  Easter  morning,  when  we  come  from  the 
sunrise  prayer  meeting,  all  in  white,  two  by  two,  into  the  dining-room. 
The  tables  are  gay  with  ferns  and  daffodils  and  at  each  plate  is  a card 
of  greeting  from  the  Y.  W.  C.  A. 

“And  what  Monnett  girl  would  ever  forget  those  fraternity  serenades? 
They  generally  occur  on  certain  state  occasions  when  Alumni  with  vocal 
reputations  to  sustain  are  guests  of  their  chapter,  but  the  most  delicious 
sound  is  that  of  the  ‘surprise  serenade’  as  the  opening  strains  of  the  march- 
ing songs  float  in  the  darkened  windows  and  down  the  hushed  proctor- 
guarded  corridors.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Monnett  campus 
the  groups  stop  at  certain  favored  sections  or  cluster  in  the  rear  court 
for  the  main  program.  Every  fraternity  has  its  ‘sisters’  at  Monnett,  and 
then  there  is  the  ‘special  girl’  who  knows  that  some  member  in  that  group 
is  singing  directly  to  her,  and  candles  twinkle  in  answer  from  their  windows. 

“I  wish  I had  time  to  take  you  all  over  the  house  to  see  the  girls  as  they 
live — making  fudge  in  the 
‘curling room,’  ironing  party 
dresses  on  the  coffin  box, 
trimming  hats  and  crochet- 
ing lace,  all  between  quizzes 
and  themes  and  collateral. 

Then  you  would  see  the 
primary  purpose  of  Mon- 
nett Hall  and  its  activities 
is  the  making  of  friendships 
that  will  be  an  inspiration 
all  our  lives.” 

She  invited  me  to  stay 
for  dinner,  too — and  maybe 
someday  I will  get  up 
enough  nerve  to  accept. 

Every  man  who  attends 


Ohio  Wesleyan  likes  to  say  he  has 
eaten  at  least  one  meal  at  Monnett 
— and  those  who  have  been  there 
say  the  odds  of  three  hundred  to 
one  are  not  nearly  so  disastrous  as  one  would  expect. 

She  also  is  going  to  invite  you  up  some  time,  Sis,  to  visit  her,  so  you 
can  see  all  these  things  for  youself  and  decide  if  Ohio  Wesleyan  will  some 
day  be  your  school  and  Monnet  Hall  your  home.  I know  you  will  like 
her,  too,  because — well,  that’s  another  story  which  you  will  understand 
when  you  see  her.  Lovingly,  Jack. 


Commencement  Days 

Dear  Dad  : 

It  was  mighty  nice  of  you  to  suggest  that  I stay  over  for  commence- 
ment week,  for  it  was  both  a pleasure  and  an  inspiration  to  be  in  Delaware 
for  the  eventful  pre-commencement  days.  To  show  my  appreciation,  I 
am  going  to  tell  you  all  about  it. 

June  skies  and  Delaware  foliage  smiled  kindly  on  Commencement 
week.  From  every  train  poured  a stream  of  the  older  graduates,  as  well 
as  the  families  of  the  lucky  ones  about  to  receive  their  diplomas.  The 
flash  of  pretty  summer  dresses  set  off  the  somberness  of  the  stately  cap- 
and-gown  of  that  all-important  and  all-absorbed  individual — -the  Senior. 

Almost  a week  is  given  over  to  Commencement  functions,  which 
really  begin  on  Saturday  with  the  Art  and  Music  Exhibits.  After  Bacca- 
laureate Sunday,  the  three  remaining  days  follow  as  Undergraduate  day, 
Alumni  Day  and  Commencement  Day. 

You  ought  to  have  been  here  on  Undergraduate  day,  Monday,  for 
Recognition  Chapel,  the  last  chapel  of  the  year.  That  is  when  under- 
graduates, Alumni  and  friends  are  listening  breathlessly  to  hear  who  won 
the  various  honors  that  are  to  be  announced.  Many  a surprise  was 
sprung  as  the  list  was  read  of  the  envied  Phi  Beta  Kappa  candidates 
— by  excellence  in  scholarship  they  had  won  the  right  to  wear  the  key 
of  this  most  ancient  of  fraternities,  which  is  established  in  eighty-nine 
leading  American  colleges. 


Prizes  and  scholar- 
ships for  merit  in 
various  fields  were 
announced  and  there 
was  a steady  stream 
of  victors  called  to 
the  platform  to  re- 
ceive the  laurels  they 
had  wo n — maybe  a 
medal  for  a victory 
in  the  “Big  Six”  the  all- 
Ohio  Track  Meet,  or  a cup 
won  in  an  oratorical  con- 
test. But  I guess  none  of 
them  were  any  prouder 
that  I was,  Dad,  when 
I walked  down  to  the  front  to  get  the  medal  that  I earned  in  the  inter- 
class track  meet.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a watch-charm.  When  you  see 
me  next  you’ll  notice  how  classy  it  looks  on  my  watch  chain.  I also  got 
my  “class  numerals”  as  they  are  called,  for  membership  on  the  class 
football  team.  Next  year  I am  determined  to  make  the  Varsity  team, 
and  then  I will  be  among  that  little  bunch  of  “W”  men  who  are  awarded 
the  official  monogram. 

In  the  afternoon  they  had  the  class  day  exercises  and  the  Alumni 
baseball  game,  followed  by  the  Shakespearian  play  and  the  Literary 
Society  receptions  in  the  evening. 

Tuesday  was  Alumni  day.  Some  of  the  folks  lined  up  for  the  Alumni 
procession  from  Gray  Chapel  to  the  Gymnasium  had  a familiar  look, 
despite  the  absence  of  their  usual  dignity,  which  they  never  bring  to 
Delaware.  Indeed,  I soon  found  there  were 
many  figures  of  state  and  national  promi- 
nence on  the  campus.  One  feature  of  the  day 


was  the  meeting  of  the  various  Quinquennial 
classes.  You  know  each  class  has  a special 
reunion  every  five  years,  which  every  member 
tries  to  attend.  I saw  little  knots  of  the  older 
graduates — gray-haired,  but  animated  with 
youthful  memories,  as  they  grouped  them- 
selves around  some  spot  on  the  campus  that 
had  a part  in  some  story  of  other  days. 

At  Ohio  Wesleyan  we  are  all  proud  of  the  Alumni,  who  have  taken 
places  of  leadership  in  almost  every  activity  all  over  the  world.  Ac- 
cording to  figures  published  in  “School  and  Society,”  Ohio  Wesleyan 
ranks  eighth  among  American  colleges  in  the  number  of  Alumni  appear- 
ing in  “Who’s  Who,”  although  one  of  the  three  youngest  among  the 
leading  twenty-seven  colleges.  Only  one  other  Ohio  college,  ranking 
ninth,  is  included  in  the  first  group. 

Out  of  the  four  thousand  biographies  in  “Who’s  Who  in  Ohio,”  209 
are  claimed  by  Ohio  Wesleyan — more  than  one  in  twenty.  That  record  is 
probably  not  surpassed  by  any  other  college. 

Of  course  Commencement,  on  Wednesday  morning,  was  the  climax 
of  it  all.  I shall  not  soon  forget  the  impressiveness  of  that  ceremony,  Dad. 
The  immense  crowd  that  overflowed  Gray  Chapel  and  the  Annex  adjoining, 
was  hushed  as  the  organ  sounded  the  first  notes  of  the  processional.  The 
vacant  center  section,  marked  off  by  protecting  streamers  of  red,  filled 
us  with  expectations  which  were  realized  as  the  stately  procession  entered 
the  doors.  First  of  all  came  the  trustees  and  faculty,  in  the  reverse  order 
of  their  rank.  The  rich  academic  colors  on  the  hoods  of  some  of  these 
professors — purple,  gold,  carmine,  yellow,  blue — rivalled  a king’s  ermine 
by  their  brilliance.  Following  the  faculty  came  the  graduates,  wear- 
ing the  plain  black  gowns  of  the  bachelor’s  degree. 

The  commencement  address  is  always  delivered  by  a speaker  of  na- 
tional prominence.  But  it  was  the  parting  address  of  the  President  to 
the  graduates  that 
sent  them  forth  with 
a new  vision  of 
service,  and  a desire 
to  live  up  fully  to  the 
ideals  of  their  Alma 
Mater. 

As  the  sheepskins 
were  awarded,  Dad, 

I tried  to  imagine  the 
conflicting  emotions 
of  those  who  stood  at 
this  stepping  stone  in 


life  where  but  few  are  privileged  to  stand.  I could  see  there  was  pride 
in  the  triumph  over  difficulties  which  that  diploma  represented.  Gradu- 
ation means  all  the  more  to  a fellow  who  has  to  struggle  to  gain  it. 
I found,  by  the  way,  that  many  of  those  whose  names  appeared  most 
frequently  with  commencement  honors,  were  men  who  had  earned 
every  cent  of  their  college  expenses. 

Many  folks  wonder  if  it  is  really  possible  to  work  one’s  way 
through  college.  I know  that  here,  as  in  many  other  schools,  there 
is  usually  a way  where  there  is  a will.  The  University  helps  thru 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary  by  conducting  an  employment  bureau,  and 
also  by  means  of  loans  and  scholarships.  The  “hustlers”  will  be  found 


making  their  way  by  every  means,  from  cleaning  furnaces,  up  through 
canvassing,  to  conducting  business  establishments  of  their  own.  The 
President  of  the  Student  Body  a few  years  ago  is  said  to  have  entered  Ohio 
Wesleyan  as  a “prep”  with  a capital  of  fifty  cents.  A converted  Russian 
Jew  came  to  this  country  ten  years  ago,  almost  penniless.  In  sweat-shops 
in  lumber  camps,  and  finally  by  conducting  a business  of  his  own,  he  gained 
his  entire  education  at  Ohio  Wesleyan,  graduating  a prominent  member 
of  his  class. 

You  know  that  Ohio  Wesleyan  is  noted  for  its  democratic  spirit. 
Snobbishness  does  not  thrive  where  one  asks,  “What  can  he  do?”  instead 
of  “Who  is  he?” 

Then  there  is  something  else,  Dad,  that  is  instilled  in  the  heart  of 
every  Ohio  Wesleyan  graduate.  It  is  the  determination  to  “make  good,” 
by  making  the  most  of  the  opportunity  that  college  has  provided.  Figures 
from  “Who’s  Who”  and  elsewhere  show  that  the  college  man  has  323 
chances  to  render  distinguished  service,  to  everyone  of  the  non-college 
men.  And  Ohio  Wesleyan  statistics  show  that  almost  every  one  of  her 
living  graduates  is  favorably  accounted  for  in  the  great  fields  of  business. 


education,  religion,  law,  medicine,  military  service,  journalism,  engineer- 
ing, politics,  agriculture  and  “llome-making.,, 

Along  with  these  emotions  is  sure  to  come  also  a sense  of  regret  at 
breaking  the  ties  and  associations  that  four  such  years  can  weave  closely 
around  the  heart.  Incredibly  short  the  time  seems  from  a fellow’s  advent 
as  an  eager  and  inquisitive  Freshman  until  today,  when  he  must  crowd 
the  souvenirs  of  college  achievement  in  that  once-roomy  trunk,  and  take 
his  parting  look  at  the  old  campus  and  the  familiar  scenes  that  are  always 
to  remain  a vivid  part  of  his  life. 

Here’s  hoping  that  I can  live  up  to  those  same  ideals,  Dad,  that  Ohio 
Wesleyan  has  always  placed  before  her  sons  and  daughters! 

Your  loving  son. 

Jack. 


X 


An  Appreciation 

It  seems  to  me,  when  I think  of  the  colleges  of  the  land,  that  there 
is  but  one  test  worth  while.  Education  is  a weapon,  and,  like  all  weapons, 
it  requires  something  behind  it  to  make  it  effective.  Without  driving 
force,  it  is  useless.  What  should  be  the  driving  force  behind  the  education 
of|the  modern  man  or  woman? 

There  seems  but  one  answer.  However  valuable  a weapon  may  be 
in  hands  of  the  guardian  of  law  and  order,  it  becomes  a menace  measured 
only  by  its  capacity  to  injure  in  the  hands  of  the  criminal.  The  difference 
is  in  the  motive  with  which  it  is  used. 

Motives  are  results  of  character.  The  right  character  always  has  a 
correct  motive.  So  it  seems  to  me  that  the  object  of  the  higher  education 
should  be  fully  as  much  the  development  of  the  right  kind  of  character 
as  it  should  be  the  implanting  of  the  thirst  for  knowledge. 

It  is  far  less  difficult  to  teach  a scientific  subject  than  it  is  to  teach 
character.  A man  may  know  much  about  any  of  the  sciences  or  arts, 
and  still  fail  to  implant  with  the  knowledge  of  them  the  right  kind  of 
character,  for  character  is  taught  by  character.  It  is  not  consciously 
implanted  as  geometry  may  be;  it  is  the  reflection  of  the  life  of  the  teacher. 

It  has  been  my  privilege  to  come  in  contact  with  Ohio  Wesleyan, 
to  know  the  members  of  its  faculty  and  to  have  part  in  the  activities  of 


its  student  body.  I have  watched  the  young  people  who  are  attending 
this  school,  and  I have  noted  their  development  along  three  lines  that 
are  not  set  down  in  the  curriculum. 

First  is  a true  democracy,  resulting  in  a fellowship  founded  on  what 
a student  is.  Of  course  people  of  varying  position  go  to  any  large  college. 
In  many  of  them  they  find  a line  of  cleavage  that  separates,  and  it  is  per- 
haps right  that  there  should  be  a separation,  into  circles,  although  at 
times  grave  danger  occurs  from  this.  Yet,  it  is  human  nature  to  select 
one’s  own  friends.  That,  however,  does  not  mean  the  development  of  a 
spirit  of  social  snobbishness,  and  I congratualte  Ohio  Wesleyan  on  the 
true  democracy  that  prevails  among  its  students,  on  the  cordial  reception 
of  the  young  man  or  young  woman  for  what  he  or  she  is,  and  not  for  the 
accident  of  birth  or  the  environment  of  wealth  and  power. 

And  the  second  thing  I have  noticed  is  the  development  of  correct 
thinking  in  relation  to  others.  Perhaps  this  is  a part  of  democracy,  per- 
haps an  offspring  from  it,  but  the  spirit  of  Ohio  Wesleyan  is  friendliness, 
and  as  the  University  exercises  its  influence  over  its  student  body,  this 
spirit  of  friendliness  develops  into  a spirit  of  service.  The  cry  of  the 
age  is  for  men  who  will  serve — men  who  have  the  power  to  be  of  real 
service — and  Ohio  Wesleyan  has  turned  out  more  than  her  share  of  those 
who  serve  in  various  capacities  for  the  welfare  of  mankind. 

And  then  the  third  quality  that  I have  noticed  is  the  spirit  of  stud- 
iousness. There  is  a right  balance  between  the  delightful  social  life  of  the 
campus,  the  pleasures  and  amusements  that  go  hand  in  hand  with  youth, 
and  the  seriousness  of  the  work  in  hand.  The  directors  of  Ohio  Wesleyan 
are  to  be  congratulated  upon  the  spirit  that  has  been  developed  in  this 
respect.  Without  carrying  the  habit  of  study  to  the  point  of  danger 
for  health  or  balance  in  the  world,  nevertheless  the  student  body  has  been 
impressed  with  the  seriousness  of  its  undertaking,  and  study  is  the  rule. 

These  things  seem  to  the  writer  to  be  the  essentials  of  greatness  in 
life,  and  because  they  are  emphasized  in  Ohio  Wesleyan’s  work,  it  is 
possible  to  felicitate  the  faculty  upon  its  work  in  the  development  and 
building  of  true  character. 


A Visitor. 


” 


Where  will  You  spend,  Your  College  Days ? 

A booklet  like  this,  at  best,  has  its  limitations.  It  should  tell  you  of 
“Bun’s”  and  “Tommy’s” — time  honored  thirst-quenching  institutions 
where  “dates”  may  always  be  found  after  the  concert.  It  should  tell  you 
of  warmly  contested  election  days,  of  fraternity  initiations  and  February 
22nd  “stunts.”  But  those  are  for  you  to  enjoy  for  yourself,  if  you  are 
fortunate  enough  to  make  Ohio  Wesleyan  your  college  home. 

College  life  anywhere  is  a great  privilege,  but  especially  so  in  the 
medium-sized  college,  with  its  closer  personal  relations.  It  is  largely  this 
background  of  valued  associations  and  traditions  that  has  gained  for 
Ohio  Wesleyan  her  position  of  leadership  in  the  middle  west. 

You  are  debating,  perhaps,  the  problem  of  how  best  to  prepare  for 
your  life  work.  A bulletin  which  the  college  issues  shows  how  every 
professional  education  should  be  built  on  a liberal  arts  foundation.  That 
broad,  cultural  training  for  life  is  what  Ohio  Wesleyan  emphasizes  most, 
and  yet  in  addition  she  can  offer  work  of  recognized  merit  in  Music,  Art 
Oratory,  Engineering,  etc. 

The  choice  of  your  future  college  is  the  most  momentous  problem 
which  you  are  now  facing.  If  you  feel  that  the  things  you  want  to  find  in 
your  college  are  a good  faculty  under  an  efficient  administration,  an 
equipment  as  good  as  that  of  most  institutions  of  its  size,  a high  moral 
atmosphere,  loyal  undergraduates  and  alumni,  and  a high  standing  in  its 
intercollegiate  relations,  you  will  undoubtedly  consider  Ohio  Wesleyan  in 
choosing  your  future  Alma  Mater. 

(Signed)  A.  W.  Morrison,  1915, 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University. 


\ 


